About Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain
Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain is Fayetteville’s marquee mountain bike and cyclocross venue, a purpose-built system on the south side of town that put the city on the world cycling map when it hosted the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships.
Trail details
The park holds roughly 12 miles of purpose-built singletrack and skills trail stacked up the flanks of Millsap Mountain. Near the base you get flowy, beginner-friendly trail like the Learners Permit loop, with steady climbing but very little technical risk. Climb higher and the terrain turns punchy and rocky, with technical intermediate and advanced lines on the mountain’s southern slope and expert features for riders who want to be challenged.
On top of the mountain bike trails there’s a dedicated cyclocross course and a distinctive stone summit structure with a tunnel and stairs that gets worked into both the cross-country and cyclocross racing lines. It’s a great spot to progress: start easy, then step up as your skills grow.
The park / where it is
Centennial Park is a City of Fayetteville park along I-49 near Mountain Ranch Boulevard and Technology Way, just south of downtown. The trailhead has a large paved parking lot, restrooms and a pavilion, so it’s an easy place to meet up, warm up and roll out. Beyond the race pedigree it’s an everyday riding spot for locals, with something for families and racers alike.
Connected & nearby trails
Centennial is a key node on the Markham Hill end of the Fayetteville Traverse, the roughly 18-mile natural-surface loop that ties the city’s riding together. For more purpose-built singletrack close by, head to Kessler Mountain Regional Park on the same side of town. If you want a mellow contrast, the wooded loop out at Lake Wedington rides much easier, and Mt. Sequoyah Woods offers quiet natural-surface trail on the east side of town.
Know before you go
These are natural-surface trails, so give them a day or two to dry after heavy rain to avoid rutting them out. The lower trails ride well for beginners; save the upper mountain for when you’re warmed up. Leashed dogs are fine on the paths and picnic areas, and Class 1 e-bikes are generally welcome on the dirt. Yield to climbing and uphill riders, and check trailhead signage for any event closures, since the park still hosts big races.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centennial Park good for beginner mountain bikers?
Yes. The lower part of the system has flowy, family-friendly singletrack like the Learners Permit trail, where you can build climbing legs and cornering without much technical risk. As you move up Millsap Mountain the trails get punchier and rockier, so beginners can start easy and progress at their own pace.
Did Centennial Park host the Cyclocross World Championships?
Yes. Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain hosted the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in January 2022, the first time the event was held in the United States. The purpose-built cyclocross course and its stone summit structure are still on the mountain.
How many miles of trail are at Centennial Park?
There is roughly 12 miles of purpose-built singletrack and skills trail on Millsap Mountain, ranging from beginner flow near the base to technical, rocky intermediate and advanced lines higher up, plus the cyclocross course.
Where do I park at Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain?
The park sits along I-49 near Mountain Ranch Boulevard and Technology Way in south Fayetteville, with a large paved parking lot, restrooms and a pavilion at the trailhead.
Are dogs and e-bikes allowed at Centennial Park?
Leashed dogs are welcome on the shared paths and picnic areas. Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are generally accepted on the natural-surface trails, but always yield and check posted signage before you ride.
